Peach tree, ‘Burpeachtwentyseven’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ), which is denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachtwentyseven’, and which produces an attractively colored yellow-fleshed, freestone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately June 12 to June 19 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new, novel, and distinct variety of peach tree, ‘Prunus persica’, and which has been denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachtwentyseven’.

The present variety of peach tree resulted from an on-going program of fruit and nut tree breeding. The purpose of this program is to improve the commercial quality of deciduous fruit and nut varieties, and rootstocks, by creating and releasing promising selections of Prunus, Malus and Juglans regia species. To this end we make both controlled and hybrid cross pollinations each year in order to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling, ‘Burpeachtwentyseven’ was originated by us, and selected from a population of seedlings growing in our experimental orchards which is located near Fowler, Calif. The seedlings, grown on their own roots, were derived from a cross that was made in 1996 of the acidic, yellow-fleshed, peach which is identified as ‘Spring Gem’ and which is the pollen parent, (unpatented) and the nectarine variety identified as B17.013, and which is an early mid-season, white fleshed, non-melting, clingstone nectarine, and which is the seed parent. As the fruit ripened the resulting seed from this cross, was stratified, germinated and then was subsequently grown in a greenhouse to an appropriate development stage. Subsequently, the new plants were field planted and grown for further evaluation. One seedling, which is the present variety, exhibited especially desirable characteristics, and was then designated as ‘E8.017’. This seedling was marked for subsequent observation. After the 1999 fruiting season, the new variety of peach tree ‘E8.017’, now named ‘Burpeachtwentyseven’ was selected for advanced evaluation and repropagation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Asexual reproduction of this new and distinct variety of peach tree was accomplished by budding the new peach tree ‘E8.017’ onto ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (un-patented). This was performed by us in our experimental orchard which is located near Fowler, Calif. Subsequent evaluations of these asexually reproduced plants have shown those asexual reproductions run true to the original tree. All characteristics of the original tree, and its fruit, were established, and appear to be transmitted through these succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Burpeachtwentyseven’ is a new and distinct variety of peach tree, which is considered of medium to medium large size, and which has a moderately vigorous growth characteristic. This new peach tree is also a regular and productive bearer of relatively large, firm, yellow-fleshed, clingstone fruit which have a good flavor and eating qualities. This new peach tree has a medium chilling requirement of approximately 650 hours, and further produces relatively uniformly sized fruit throughout the tree. In addition to the foregoing, the fruit of the new peach tree also appears to have good handling and shipping qualities.

The ‘Burpeachtwentyseven’ peach tree bears fruit which are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment on approximately June 12 to June 19 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. In relative comparison to the ‘Burpeachsix’ peach tree (U.S. Pat. No. 13,392), which produces fruit having a similar harvesting date, the new variety of peach tree bears fruit which is firmer and has a higher degree of red blush color on the skin surface. Further the new peach variety exhibits a clingstone character which is in contrast to the fruit of the ‘Burpeachsix’ peach tree which is freestone. These distinctions are displayed when both varieties have been grown and evaluated under the same cultural conditions, and at the same geographical location. Further, the fruit of the subject variety generally exhibits a larger fruit diameter (approximately 5-8 mm larger) than the pollen parent peach ‘Spring Gem’ (unpatented), and the current variety ripens approximately 15-18 days later than the seed parent peach tree B17.013.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing, which is provided, is a color photograph of the new peach tree variety. The photograph depicts two whole mature fruit showing the top and bottom characteristics thereof, and one mature fruit bisected laterally along the equatorial plane, and which reveals the flesh characteristics thereof. The external coloration of the fruit as shown in the photograph is sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment. Additionally the photograph displays a sample vegetative shoot bearing typical leaves, and a typical stone with the flesh removed, and which displays the surface characteristics thereof.

The colors in these photographs are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may, or may not, be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural Society) and descriptions provided, hereinafter.

NOT A COMMERCIAL WARRANTY

The following detailed description has been prepared to solely comply with the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, and does not constitute a commercial warranty, (either expressed or implied), that the present variety will in the future display the botanical, pomological or other characteristics as set forth, hereinafter. Therefore, this disclosure may not be relied upon to support any future legal claims, including, but not limited to, breach of warranty of merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose, or non-infringement which is directed, in whole, or part, to the present variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed during the seventh fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards of the assignee which are located near the town of Fowler, county of Fresno, state of Calif. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Common color names are also occasionally used.

TREE

-   Size: Generally. Considered medium to medium large as compared to     other common commercial peach cultivars ripening in the early season     of maturity. The tree of the present variety was pruned to a height     of approximately 270.0 cm to about 310.0 cm at commercial maturity. -   Vigor: Considered vigorous. The present peach tree variety grew from     about 172.0 cm to about 180.0 cm in height during the first growing     season. The new variety was pruned to a height of approximately     150.0 cm during the first dormant season, and primary scaffolds were     then selected for the desired tree structure. -   Productivity: Productive. Fruit set varies from more than the     desired crop load to levels much higher than desired levels when     grown in a suitable horticultural zone, and under appropriate     commercial conditions. The fruit set is spaced by thinning to     develop the remaining fruit into the desired market-sized fruit. The     number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic     conditions and the cultural practices employed. Therefore     productivity is not a distinctive characteristic of the new variety. -   Fruit bearing: Regular. Fruit set has been more than adequate during     the previous years of observation, and thinning was necessary during     the past 8 years on both the original seedling and on subsequent     asexually reproduced trees. -   Form: Upright, and pruned into a vase shape. -   Density: Considered moderately dense. It has been discovered that     pruning the branches from the center of the tree to obtain a     resulting vase shape allows for air movement and appropriate amounts     of sunlight to enhance fruit color, and renewal of fruiting wood     throughout the tree. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in USDA     Hardiness Zone 9. The calculated winter chilling requirements of the     new tree is approximately 650 hours at a temperature below 7.0     degrees C. The present variety appears to be hardy under typical     central San Joaquin Valley climatic conditions.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately 17.5 cm in diameter when measured at a     distance of approximately 15.24 cm above the soil level. This     measurement was taken at the end of the seventh growing season. -   Bark texture: Considered moderately rough, with numerous folds of     papery scarfskin being present. Since bark development and     coloration change with advancing tree age this characteristic varies     with the tree vigor, age and regional conditions. Therefore, this is     not a dependable descriptor of the new variety. -   Lenticels: Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present. The lenticels     range in size from approximately 4.0 millimeters to about 6.0 mm in     width, and between about 1.0 and about 2.0 millimeters in height.     The development and size of the trunk lenticels can be influenced,     to some degree, by the ambient growing conditions and are not,     necessarily, a dependable characteristic of this variety. As trees     of this variety mature, lenticels are present, but they are     generally covered by increasing layers of cork (mature bark) and     therefore become less apparent. -   Lenticel color: Considered an orange brown, (RHS Greyed-Yellow Group     162 B). -   Bark coloration: Variable, but it is generally considered to be a     medium brown, (RHS Greyed-Orange Group 166 D). This bark description     was taken from trees in their seventh leaf which have ruptured the     scarf skin, and which also have developed bark furrowing which is     much more typical of the bark of older trees. It should be noted     that the coloration of the bark is influenced, and varies, as the     smoother, darker background color approaches other bark features     such as the lenticels, and the initial fissures which form a feature     of the scarf skin development.

BRANCHES

-   Size: Considered medium for the variety. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other peach varieties. The branches     have a diameter of about 9.0 centimeters when measured during the     seventh year after grafting. -   Surface texture: Average, and appearing furrowed on wood which is     several years old. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, and are     usually growing at an angle of about 50 to about 60 degrees when     measured from a horizontal plane. This characteristic can be     influenced, to some degree, by tree vigor, rootstock and other     cultural conditions. -   Current season shoots:     -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous. -   Internode length: Approximately 2.5 cm. -   Color of mature branches: Grey brown, (RHS Grey-Orange Group 174 A). -   Current seasons shoots:     -   -   Color.—Medium-light green, (RHS Green Group 144 A). The             color of new shoot tips is considered a bright and shiny             green (RHS Green Group 141 A). The vegetative shoot color             can be significantly influenced by plant nutrition,             irrigation practices, and exposure to sunlight, and             therefore should not be considered a consistent botanical             characteristic of this new variety.

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium for the species. Leaf measurements have been     taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth, at     approximately mid-shoot. It should be understood that the leaf size     is often influenced by prevailing growing conditions, quality of     sunlight, and the location of the leaf within the tree canopy. For     this reason, leaf sizes can vary significantly based upon the     ambient and cultural factors listed above, and are not typically     considered a dependable botanical descriptor. Leaf bud burst occurs     approximately 1 to 2 weeks after the first bloom under typical     cultural conditions. -   Leaf length: Approximately 145.0 to about 167.0 millimeters. -   Leaf width: Approximately 29.0 to about 33.0 millimeters. -   Leaf base-shape: The leaves generally exhibit equal marginal     symmetry relative to the leaf longitudinal axis. -   Leaf form: Lanceolate. -   Leaf tip form: Acuminate. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark green, (approximately RHS Green             Group 131 B). -   Leaf texture: Glabrous. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Lower surface.—Deep green, (approximately RHS Yellow-Green             Group 146 B). -   Leaf venation: Broadly pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Considered a light yellow-green, (approximately RHS             Yellow-Green Group 150 C) in the early to mid-period of the             growing season. -   Leaf margins: Gently undulating.     -   -   Form.—Considered bluntly serrate, occasionally biserrate.         -   Uniformity.—Considered generally uniform. -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Form.—Considered canaliculated, that is, having a shallow             channel and more pronounced trough from the dorsal aspect.             The petiole margin is considered rounded when viewed from             the ventral aspect.         -   Size.—Considered medium large for the species.         -   Length.—About 9.0 to about 12.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 1.5 to about 2.5 mm.         -   Color.—Pale green, (approximately RHS Yellow-Green Group 146             C). -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered small for the species; approximately 1.0 mm             in length; and about 1.0 mm in height.         -   Number.—Generally one to two glands per marginal side are             found. Observations of more than two glands per marginal             side are more uncommon.         -   Type.—Generally considered to be a tight, small reniform             shaped gland.         -   Color.—Considered a pale green, approximately (RHS Green             Group 143 B). Typically the coloration of the glands             darkens, and occasionally begins to desiccate during, and             after, the mid-late growing season. -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Size.—Medium large for this variety.         -   Number.—Typically 2 per leaf bud, and up to 6 per shoot tip.         -   Form.—Lanceolate in form, and having a serrated marginal             edge.         -   Color.—Green, (approximately RHS Green Group 137 C) when             young, but graduating to a brown color, (approximately RHS             Greyed-Orange group N172 A) with advancing senescence. The             leaf stipules are generally considered to be early             deciduous.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Hardiness.—No winter injury (bud death) has been noted             during the last several years of observation in the central             San Joaquin Valley. The new variety of peach tree has not             been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, and             therefore this information is not available. -   Date of first bloom: Observed on Mar. 1, 2010. -   Blooming time: Considered medium in relative comparison to other     commercial peach cultivars grown in the central San Joaquin Valley.     The date of full bloom was observed on Mar. 9, 2010. The date of     full bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions, and prevailing     cultural practices. Flower bud color at pre-bloom and prior to scale     separation is green-purple (RHS 187C). -   Duration of bloom: Approximately 9 days. This characteristic varies     slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower. -   Flower size: Considered relatively large. The flower diameter at     full bloom, is approximately 49.0 to 54.0 millimeters. -   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant. -   Flower bud frequency: Normally one to two flower buds appear per     node. Only rarely does more than 2 flower buds per node occur. -   Petal size: Generally considered medium large for the species.     -   -   Length.—Approximately 20.0 to 24.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 19.0 to 21.0 millimeters. -   Petal form: Considered an apically rounded ovate. -   Petal count: Nearly always 5. -   Petal texture: Glabrous. -   Petal color: Considered a light pink at the popcorn stage, (RHS     Red-Purple Group 63 D), and darkening with advanced senescence, and     the exposure of sunlight to a medium dark pink, (RHS Red-Purple 64     C). -   Fragrance: Slight. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered ovate, and is generally medium             large when compared to other varieties.         -   Length.—Approximately 10.0-13.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 9.0 to 11.0 millimeters. -   Petal margins: Generally considered variable, from nearly smooth to     moderately undulate. -   Petal apex: Occasionally a small, axially centered groove is noted. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium long with an approximate length of             about 4.0 to about 5.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.5 millimeters.         -   Color.—A medium brown, approximately (RHS Grey-Brown Group             N199 D). -   Floral nectaries:     -   -   Color.—Considered a dull orange-red (RHS Orange-Red Group             N34 B).         -   Upper portion of the calyx.—Surface Texture. — Generally             glabrous. Color. — A dull red, (approximately RHS             Greyed-Purple Group 183 A).         -   Lower portion of the calyx.—Surface Texture. — The surface             has a short, fine pubescent texture. Size. — Average, and             ovate in form. Color. — A dull red, (approximately RHS             Greyed-Red Group 178 A). -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Average, to above average in length.         -   Color.—Red to reddish-orange when viewed dorsally prior to             dehiscence, (approximately RHS Greyed-Red Group 180 A). -   Pollen production: Abundant.     -   -   Color.—Considered yellow in color, (approximately RHS             Yellow-Orange Group 17 B). -   Fertility: Self-fertile. -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Approximately 15.0 to 19.0 millimeters in length.         -   Color.—Considered white to a pinkish-white, (RHS Red Purple             Group 62 D). -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually one, and only rarely more than one.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 18.0 to about 20.0 millimeters in             length including the ovary.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green, (approximately RHS             Yellow Green Group 151D).         -   Surface texture.—The variety has a long pubescent pistil.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe). -   Date of first picking: Jun. 12, 2010. -   Date of last picking: Jun. 17, 2010. The date of harvest varies     slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions and the current     cultural practices. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large, and uniform. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 68.0 to about 75.0     millimeters. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately 65.0 to about 72.0     millimeters. -   Typical weight: Approximately 258.0 grams. This characteristic is     quite dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and     therefore is not particularly distinctive of the new variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Considered slightly oblate. The fruit is             generally uniform in symmetry. -   Fruit suture: No callousing or stitching exists along the suture     line. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—Generally blushed to the same degree as the skin,             (approximately RHS Red Group 42 A). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Quite even and uniform in appearance when it is viewed             from the lateral sutorial plane. The suture shape often             exhibits a slight, rounded protrusion in the region of the             ventral axis. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—Rounded. -   Base:     -   -   Shape.—Generally smooth. -   Stem cavity:     -   -   Generally.—It extends in an oval form which is generally             oriented along the sutorial plane. The stem cavity is             rounded and uniform in shape. The average depth of the stem             cavity is about 7.0 mm. The average width of the stem cavity             is about 12.0 mm. The average length of the stem cavity when             measured in the sutorial plane is about 22.0 mm. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered medium in thickness, and tenacious to             the flesh.         -   Surface texture.—Short, fine and pubescent. The pubescence             is moderately abundant.         -   Taste.—Non-astringent.         -   Tendency to crack.—Not observed in the previous years of             observation and evaluation. -   Fruit skin color:     -   -   Blush color.—Generally speaking, a red blush exists on a             majority of the skin of the fruit (approximately RHS Red             Group 42 A), and is typically more present on the portions             of the fruit facing the sunlight. The blush covers             approximately 80-90% of the fruit skin surface. The             percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary,             and is generally dependent upon the fruit's exposure to             direct sunlight; specific fruit maturity; and also the             prevailing ecological and cultural conditions under which             the fruit is grown. It should be noted that the presence of             darker pigmentation which causes ‘striping’ or ‘tigering,’             is generally observed laterally, and above the equatorial             plane and generally increases in frequency in progression             toward the fruit's apex. This additional pigmentation             generally deepens the hue of the surrounding surface.         -   Ground color.—Yellow, (approximately RHS Yellow Group 10 A).             The ground color of the fruit can vary significantly based             upon the maturity of the fruit when this measurement is             taken. -   Fruit stem:     -   -   Size.—Medium in length, approximately 6.0 to about 10.0             millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.0 to about 3.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale yellow-green, (approximately RHS Yellow-Green             Group N144 B). -   Fruit flesh:     -   -   Ripening.—Considered even.         -   Texture.—Firm, juicy and dense. Considered firm yet melting.         -   Fibers.—Few are found.         -   Aroma.—Slight.         -   Eating Quality.—Considered very good.         -   Flavor.—Considered very sweet and with moderate acidity. The             flavor is considered both pleasant and balanced.         -   Juice production.—Moderate.         -   Brix.—About 12.0 to 15.0 degrees. This characteristic varies             slightly with the number of fruit per tree; the maturity of             fruit when harvested; the prevailing cultural practices; and             the ambient climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—It is considered an orange-yellow,             (approximately RHS Yellow Group 10 D.

STONE

-   Type: Considered clingstone. -   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies     significantly depending upon the tree vigor, the crop load and the     prevailing growing and cultural conditions. -   Length: Average, about 30.0 to about 35.0 millimeters. -   Width: Average, about 26.0 to about 31.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Average, about 20.0 to about 24.0 millimeters. -   Form: Roughly ovoid. -   Form: Roughly ovoid. -   Base: Shape—The stone is considered shortly attenuate. -   Apex: Shape—The stone exhibits a slight to prominently acute apex. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—Considered irregularly furrowed toward the             apex. Further, more pitting exists in the mid-portion of the             stone (laterally), and is more common toward the base.         -   Ridges.—Ridging is generally more prominent, and is usually             oriented parallel, and laterally relative at the ventral and             dorsal margins.         -   Ventral edge.—The ventral edge is generally considered             troughed with two reasonably distinguished edges running             parallel to, and on both sides of the stone's suture. These             distinct edges continue from the hilum to the apex.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape — Generally considered moderately rough,             and uneven. The folds of the surface ridges appearing on the             external margins often end abruptly along the suture. -   Stone color: The color of a mature, dry stone is generally     considered a pinkish tan, approximately (RHS Orange-Red Group 31 C).     This coloration depends, to some degree, on the moisture content of     the stone. This color is variable, however, and may also be affected     by oxidation and sun bleaching. This variability in the color,     depending upon the stone's maturity, and sun exposure, would be     considered an inconsistent descriptor of this new variety. -   Tendency to split: Splitting has rarely been noted. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium-small in size.         -   Form.—Considered generally ovoid.         -   Pellicle.—Slightly pubescent.         -   Color.—(RHS Greyed-Orange Group 163 C). -   Use: The present variety ‘Burpeachtwentyseven’ is considered to be a     peach tree of the early season of maturity, and which produces fruit     which are considered to be firm, attractively colored, and which are     useful for both local and long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Appears excellent. The fruit of the present variety     has stored well for periods of up to 30 days after harvest at 1.0     degree Celsius. -   Shipping quality: Good. The fruit of the new peach tree variety     showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after being     subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety has not been tested to expose or     detect any susceptibilities or resistances to any known plant and/or     fruit diseases.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Fowler, Calif., in the Central part of the San Joaquin Valley of California, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude, and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, nutrition, pruning, pest control, frost, climatic variables and changes in horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as illustrated and described, and which is characterized principally as to novelty by producing an attractively colored yellow-fleshed, clingstone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately June 12 to June 19 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. 